Removable shelf construction



y 1961 J. E. FOHN 2,993,603

REMOVABLE SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 2, 1958 Patented July 25, 1961 2,993,603 REMOVABLE SHELF CONSTRUCTION Jack E. Fohn, Aurora, 111. Filed Oct. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 764,844 6 Claims. (Cl. 211135) This invention relates to metal shelving and more particularly to improvements in detachably joining sheet metal shelves to support means.

In brief, my present invention provides an improved structure for interconnecting and locking sheet metal shelves to cantilever support arms carried by vertical support posts. By this invention a shelf while removable from said supports, is nevertheless uniquely interlocked therewith in a manner to prevent its detachment by thrust or force applied to a leading edge of the shelf. In general, my shelf structure embodies formed forward and rearward edges, uniquely cut and shaped to cooperate with cantilever and vertical support members, in a manner hingingly interlocking the leading edge of the shelf with the cantilever support ends. Detent means are used also to detatchably lock the rearward edge of the shelf adjacent the vertical support members. Means are also embodied in the ends of the shelf for their support by the cantilever support members. By virtue of this unique interlocking and hinging arrangement, shelf structures, according to my invention, may be readily knocked down and the shelving thereof removed with a minimum of efiort, as desired. Additionally, and more importantly, the interlocking arrangement employed between the leading edge of the shelf and the outer ends of the cantilever supports prevents any accidental disassociation of the shelf from such support members, as might occur at impact or engagement of the shelfs leading edge in removing an article from an adjacent underdisposed shelf, for example. Past detachable shelving of this class has generally been marked by instability of the shelves under upward vertical thrust. Thus, my invention is directed to the provision of detachable interconnection of shelving and support structures, while providing a positive interfixing thereof at places where they are most likely to receive accidental impact normally productive of undesired disassociation of the shelving and its support.

The main object of my invention is to provide a removable shelf structure in which the shelf members are removably associated with cantilever support means in such a manner as to substantially prevent disassociation of the shelves by impact applied to the outer or free edge of the shelf.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved shelf construction in which sheet metal shelving is detachably associated with support means in such a manner as to substantially prevent its accidental disassociation therefrom.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved sheet metal shelf structure including an improved means interconnecting the same with a cantilever support means so as to provide pivotal hinging movement of said shelf in its assembly and disassociation with said support.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a detachable shelf structure, as aforesaid, in which detent means are embodied for detachably holding the shelf means to its support structure so that the same is pivotally movable about one longitudinal edge and detachably held to the support structure by detent means adjacent its other longitudinal edge.

A still additional object of this invention is to provide an improved shelf structure having improved features of assembly and disassembly while substantially eliminating detachable fasteners such as nuts and bolts, without sacrifice of structural stability and rigidity.

The above and further objects, features and advantages of this invention will appear to those familiar in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention which appears in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical shelf assembly embodying the features and concepts of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially at line 2, 2 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon to show details of interlocking structure employed between the shelf and support members of the FIGURE 1 assembly, but on an enlarged scale thereover;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially at line 3, 3 of FIGURE 1 and looking downwardly at the interconnecting means demonstrated in FIGURE 2, according to the arrows of line 3, 3;

FIGURE 4 is a partial enlarged sectional view taken substantially at line 4, 4 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the cantilever support means seen in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 6 is another perspective view with parts thereof broken away in section to show structural details and portions of the shelf member of my invention.

Turning now to the drawings, the shelf assembly, in-' dicated generally at 10 in FIGURE .1, includes a pair of vertical support posts 11, 11 suitably spaced laterally and carrying cantilever support means 12 to accommodate and support the shelf means 13: at its opposite ends. As will be better understood from examining FIGURES Z and 3, for example, the vertical upright members 11, 11

constitute typical angle iron formations in which leg portions 11a and 11b are related at right angles.

Each of the cantilever support members 12 (see FIG- URE 5) constitutes a substantially rectangular upper arm portion 15 offset with respect to a lower triangular arm portion 16 and connected thereto by an intermediate reentrant bend, indicated at 17 in FIGURE 4. The base end of the triangular lower arm portion 16 includes an ear member 18 ofiset inwardly from the general plane of such arm portion to lie substantially in coplanar relationship with the upper arm portion 15 (see FIGURE 4). The car member 18 is adapted to be spot-welded or otherwise joined rigidly to an adjacent upper end of the arm portion 11b of an associated one of the upright post members. This relationship may best be understood by examining FIGURE 2 wherein spot-weld connection means are indicated at 20.

The upper arm portion 15 of each cantilever support member 12 also includes at its inner end an ear member 21 which is turned inwardly in angular dispositionfrom the plane of both the upper arm portion 15 and the coplanar ear portion 18, as above described.

Ear member 21 constitutes a friction detent holding device, as will be explained presently hereinafter. The arm portion 15 at its end opposite ear member 21 has a free end portion indicated at 22.

For each shelf 13 desired along the vertical extent of the upright post members 11, a pair of the cantilever support means 12 are provided in register-ing disposition, substantially in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, to provide means for engaging and supporting the shelving 13 at its opposite ends.

The shelf means 13 constitutes a planar support panel 25 of substantially rectangular configuration having a length as desired and a width substantially equal to the length of the cantilever support members 12. The sup port panel 25 is bounded at its opposite ends by downwardly turned end flanges 26 and along its front and back edges by downwardly turned side flanges 27, 27', respectively. Such side flanges are further integrally formed with transversely related flanges 28, 28' parallel to the planeof panel 25. and spaced therefrom as determined by the vertical extent of side flanges 2.7, 27'. Flanges 28, 28' further are formed integrally with upwardly-extending lip'flanges 29, 29' spaced in parallelism with side flanges 27, 27'. It will be recognized that the configuration and relationship of the several flanges 27, 28, 2 9, and 27, 28, 29' eachprovide a substantially .U- shaped channel extending longitudinally along the front and back longitudinal edges of the main panel 25, as it is shownassembled in FIGURE 1. Such reentrant or U- shaped configurations, provide strength and rigidity to the panel 25, especially along its length, while the end flanges 2'6 stabilize-such panel 25 laterally. The two longitudinally extending u-shaped channel portions will hereinafter be referredto generally by numerals 30 and 30 with the latter referring to the U-shaped channel defining the rearward edge of the shelf means 13.

As seen best in FIGURES 3 and 6, flange 29 forming an inner wall of the forward U-channel portion 30 is cut away adjacent its opposite ends so that the outer ends of inner Wall '29 terminate .short of the ends of the bottom 'wall or flange 28 of channel 30 to provide a slotted opening 32,,adjacent each of the two end flanges 26. Each slotted opening 32 is of a width to receive the outer end of a cantilever support means 12, and particularly the outer free end 22 of the upper arm portion 15 thereof. This relationship may best be understood by referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawings. As shown in' this latter figure, to assemble the shelf 13 on the cantilever support means 12, the outer or free ends 22 of the latter are inserted through the slotted openings 32 which exist between the ends of the channel inner flange 29 and the end flanges. 26 of the shelf unit. This condition is illustrated by the clotted-line showing in FIGURE 2. Thus associated, the shelf unit 1 3 may be swung or hinged about the outer ends of the cantilever support members 12 as pivot centers. When the shelf member 13 is positioned, as shown in full lines of FIGURE 2, substantially horizontally or transverse to the upright post members 11, flange 29' of the rearward U-channel member 30' is frictional ly engaged and resides behind the angularly disposed detent lips 21 associated one with each of the two cantilever support members 12. Such frictional engagement serves to hold the shelf unit in place with the rearward flange 27 of channel portion 30 lying inwardly of the rear wall 11a, associated with each of the two upright post members. This latter relation may best be understood by examining FIGURE 3.

Also to be recognized in the above-described structure is the fact thatrslotted openings 32, provided by the cutouts in'flange portion 29, do not extend through the bottom flange 28. When the outer or free ends 22 of the two cantilever support arms 12, 12 are inserted through such slotted openings, the bottom edges 35 thereon "(and particularly the portion of such edge adjacent the outer end of the cantilever arm portion 15) reside directly over the bottom flanges 28 adjacent the neighboring end flange 26. This locks the shelf against vertical displacement relative to such free ends of the cantilever on the rearward edge of the shelf to detach the detent ear members 21 from their frictional holding engagement Wfiththe flange portion .29, as above described.

From examining FIGURES 4 and 5, it will be seen additionally that when the shelf unit 13 is assembled on:

- invention.

its support means, the lower edge 36 of its two end flanges 26 lies on the indented shoulder 17 provided by the offset planar relationship of portions 15 and 16 of each cantilever support member 1 2. Thus, the ends of the shelf units are amply supported for vertical load by the cantilever support arms. It is further shown, as in FIG- URE 4, that the upper edge 37 of the cantilever arm portion 15 engages the inner face of the upper panel 25 in further supporting the shelf. The relationship between the inwardly offset portion 15 of each cantilever support arm and the end flanges 26 of the shelf unit is also designed to provide frictional engagement between the adjacent faces thereof. This further amplifies the frictional forces holding the shelf in its assembled condition on the support means.

From the foregoing, it is believed that those familiar with the art will readily recognize and appreciate the advanced improvement which is brought about by the above described invention. It is particularly outstanding, that the interlocking of the cantilever support arms and the forward edge of the shelf unit, .as performed by my invention, prevents the accidental disengagement of the shelf member from its supporting system by upward thrust or impact imposed on the leading edge of the shelf. Thus, accidental engagement of the leading edge of the shelf by the user will not result in its detachment from the support therefor, as has been prevalent in previous detachable shelf assemblies of this general classification.

It is further to be understood that while I have herein shown and described the features and aspects of my invention in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, numerous changes, modification, and substitutions of equivalents obviously may be entered into therein without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of its limited to the particulars of the embodiment hereinabove described and shown except as may appear in the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. A detachable metal shelf assembly comprising a shelf member, .a U-shaped channel portion along a longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending front wall, a bottom wall, and an inner wall extending upwardly of said bottom Wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said front wall, downwardly extending end flanges atopposite ends of said shelf member closing the open ends of said U-shaped channel portion, a pair of cantilever support members disposed to carry the shelf member adjacent its opposite ends, said inner wall having its outer ends terminating short of the outer ends of said bottom wall to provide openings at the outer ends of said inner wall of saidxU-shaped channel portion adjacent the inner surfaces of said end flanges and forming slots therewith for receiving the outer free ends of said cantilever support members below said shelf member and above said bottom wall .to prevent movement of said shelf member transversely with respect to said cantilever support members, and said bottom Wall member, downwardly extending end flanges at the opposite ends of said shelf member, a pair of cantilever support members disposedadjacent said end flanges of said shelf member and having their outer free ends disposed below said shelf member and above said bottom wall. to prevent detachment of saidshelf member from said cantilever suppiz t members by vertical upward' Consequently, it is not my intention to be movement of said longitudinal edge of said shelf member, and said cantilever support members having upper and lower arm portions in which said upper arm portions are offset inwardly relative to said end flanges of said shelf and form shoulders at the bottom edges of said end flanges, and said outer surfaces of said lower arm portions being substantially flush with the outer surfaces of said end flanges.

3. A detachable metal shelf assembly comprising a shelf member, a first U-shaped channel along the front longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending front wall, a first bottom Wall, and a first inner wall extending upwardly from said first bottom wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said front wall, a second U-shaped channel along the rear longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending rear wall, a second bottom wall, and a second inner wall extending upwardly from said Second bottom wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said rear wall, a pair of cantilever support members disposed to carry the shelf member adjacent its opposite ends, openings formed at the opposite ends of said first inner wall for receiving the outer free ends of said cantilever support members below said shelf member and above said first bottom wall and disposing the opposite ends of said first inner wall in blocking relation with said cantilever support member to prevent movement of said shelf member transversely with respect to said cantilever support members, said first bottom wall being adapted to engage the bottom edges of the free ends of said cantilever support members to prevent detachment of said shelf member from said cantilever support members by vertical upward movement of said longitudinal edge of said shelf member, and said cantilever support members having detent fingers extending inwardly of opposite ends of said shelf members and disposed to engage said second inner wall of said second U-shaped channel.

4. A detachable metal shelf assembly comprising a shelf member, a U-shaped channel portion along a longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending front wall, a bottom wall, and an inner wall extending upwardly of said bottom Wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said front wall, downwardly extending end flanges at the opposite ends of said shelf member closing the open ends of said U-shaped channel portion, a pair of cantilever support members disposed to carry the shelf member adjacent its opposite ends, said inner wall having its outer ends terminating short of the outer ends of said bottom wall to provide openings at the outer ends of said inner wall of said U-shaped channel portion adjacent the inner surfaces of said end flanges and forming slots therewith for receiving the outer free ends of said cantilever support members below said shelf member and above said wall to prevent movement of said shelf member transversely with respect to said cantilever support member, and said bottom wall of said U-shaped channel being adapted to engage the bottom edges of the free ends of said cantilever support members to prevent detachment of said shelf member from said support members by vertical upward movement of said longitudinal edge of said shelf member.

5. A detachable metal shelf assembly comprising a shelf member, a U-shaped channel portion along a longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending front wall, a bottom wall, and an inner wall extending upwardly of said bottom wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said front wall, downwardly extending end flanges at the opposite ends of said shelf member closing the open ends of said U-shaped channel portion, a pair of cantilever support members disposed to carry the shelf member adjacent its opposite ends, openings formed at the outer ends of said inner Wall of said U-shaped channel portion adjacent the inner surfaces of said end flanges and forming slots therewith for receiving the outer free ends of said cantilever support members below said shelf member and above said wall to prevent movement of said shelf member transversely with respect to said cantilever support members, said bottom wall of said U-shaped channel being adapted to engage the bottom edges of the free ends of said cantilever support members to prevent detachment of said shelf member from said support members by vertical upward movement of said longitudinal edge of said shelf member, a second U-shaped channel along the other longitudinal edge of said shelf member including a downwardly extending rear wall, a second bottom wall, and a second inner wall extending upwardly from said second bottom wall in substantially parallel spaced relation with said rear wall, and said cantilever support members having detent fingers extending inwardly from opposite ends of said shelf member and disposed to engage the second inner wall of said second U-shaped channel.

6. A metal shelf assembly comprising a shelf member having longitudinally extending front and rear edges and depending end flanges, a corner post at the junction of the rear edge and each of said end flanges of said shelf member, a pair of cantilever support members one mounted on each of said corner posts and disposed adjacent said end flanges of said shelf member, said canti lever support members having upper and lower arm portions in which said upper arm portions are offset inwardly relative to said end flanges of said shelf member, the upper edges of said upper arm portions being disposed below said shelf member inwardly of said end flanges to support said shelf member, said upper and lower arm portions forming shoulders at the bottom edges of said end flanges, and said outer end surfaces of each of said corner posts, said lower arm portions of said cantilever support members and the outer surfaces of said end flanges lying substantially in a common plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,336,971 Levene Apr. 13, 1920 1,806,642 Ohnstrand May 26, 1931 2,005,593 Onions June 18, 1935 2,741,449 Heselov Apr. 10, 1956 2,790,559 Stephenson Apr. 30, 1957 2,845,187 Bianchi July 29, 1958 

